Month: February 2016

I estimate that I only have about 4 or 5 more drawings to do to complete the images for my graphic novel project, Limbo. This one, “helping hands,” recalls all the labor that went into trying to keep some elasticity in sister Sam’s legs. Sister Sherry was an amazing physical therapist for her long after any real physical therapy was available.

I’m feeling confident about my idea for the graphic novel title – Limbo. The writing is coming along well. Two images seem to be emerging for me as potential cover images. If you have a thought, please share.

The more I draw the more I think – the more I think the more I need to draw. In my anxiety series of drawings, I feel like I’m making my way toward some kind of clarity around anxiety, masculinity, fear, and anger. I’m not there yet, but specific impulses to draw (craft) these selfies keep coming. For now, I’ll go with the flow.

Severe traumatic brain injury can ravish the body. I see this drawing potentially occupying two pages in the graphic novel about sister Sam’s TBI. Imagine the book opened all the way in your hands, this image floating on the page – with accompanying text – medical terminology and explanations about the physical body that just don’t seem to capture what the eye sees happening or what the heart feels.

There are times when the monastic impulse is very strong for me. A need to withdraw from the chaos of life, work, and relationships. It’s strongest for me when it’s least convenient! Of course, this makes sense – the more intense life and work become for me, the more intensely I feel the desire to withdraw and work and live in silence. Drawing as a form of meditation helps me moderate these realities (most of the time!).

One of the struggles with a graphic novel that’s about something as awful as losing your sister to a severe traumatic brain injury is figuring out the “truth” of the story. Finding a way to render, in both image and word, an unspeakable experience. Everyone understands loss, grief, but what about all the other feelings and sensations that accompany that loss … Here’s a draft page from my sister Sam project. Red Door draft 1.